[RL - Jordan's veggie visit]

[new_avatar]

Upon finishing his last response to Jordan, Aang eagerly set up a nice table in the large courtyard of Zuko's old summer home. Cushions were placed around it for anyone joining in to sit on. The Avatar (the little one of course) was already seated on one with an excited smile on his face. It had been far too long since he had seen his good friend,

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[glowy_brows]

Jordan managed to find his way easily enough (though he had to be careful not to teleport in the middle of Fire Nation territory). He was dressed in his Avatar robes, but with a slightly different palate: crimson instead of purple. Jordan always enjoyed wearing different outfits. Besides, he didn't want to stand out too much.

Gripped in each hand was a huge wicker picnic basket filled with all a manner of goodies to share with his friends. He walked up the path that lead from the beach to the stunning mansion that served as Zuko's summer home.

Jordan whistled low and long. "Nice. Guess being a Prince has its perks after all, huh?"

[bendsmetal]

Toph had been about to go down to the beach for a little more training when she heard Jordan talk.

"The only thing that matters is that it gives us a safe place to stay where we won't get caught and it's still in the Fire Nation," she said as she dropped down on the ground, ignoring the pre-placed cushions lying around. "How've you been Jordan, it's been a while since we all caught up."

[glowy_brows]

"Oh, you know, same old, same old. Doing my Avatar thing, trying to avert an all out war that could very well tear the galaxy apart." His tone was light, which belied the seriousness of his words. "Anyway, hope you guys are hungry because I've brought a veritable feast!"

He dropped the heavy picnic baskets to the floor. A few apples and a pear bounced out and rolled along the floor. Jordan laughed a bit nervously. Well, you couldn't bring too much food, right?

[new_avatar]

Aang's mood brightened when Toph joined. However, this turned out to be short-lived at his next thought; Now we just need the others to come too. An unfortunate "Oh yeah..." reaction hit him then as he remembered the original reason why he had been talking to Jordan about their get-together: Mai's disappearance.

He became downcast then, waiting unto Jordan and Toph had finished their exchange before bringing up what had come to mind. As much as Aang hated to ruin the positive atmosphere, he still wanted to make sure she was okay. "Guys, I...I'm sorry, but we can't forget about Mai. Do you think we should look for her?"

[glowy_brows]

Jordan's face became somber when he saw Aang's downcast expression.

"You know, Aang, I think that if Mai left of her own freewill, she probably needed some time to herself. I mean, you were enemies, right? Maybe she still needs to sort out some things regarding that." He gave a lopsided grin. "Besides, if she's as strong as you say she is, I bet she can take care of herself. No one knows we're here, so it's not like the Fire Nation is gonna come knocking, right?"

[new_avatar]

"That's true," Aang stated. Jordan did make good points, and Mai did seem like the type who liked to be alone sometimes.

...Scratch that, she was the type who liked to be alone sometimes. A lot of the time in fact. Mai had been gone for a while, but in the best case scenario, she simply needed a while on her own.

Aang didn't stop worrying entirely - she had been gone a bit longer than usual, even for her - but much of it was abated. Zuko, Katara and Sokka were off doing their own thing too after all. His smile returned for the most part. "Yeah. We can save some of it for her when she gets back."

It seemed then that the smell of fresh produce began to hit him. Resisting the urge to drool, Aang asked, "So how should we prepare it all? I can set up a fire to cook that meat you mentioned."

[glowy_brows]

"Well, I was planning on making some shish-kabobs. Basically, you just peel the vegetables, cut them into pieces, and spear them on a skewer with some meat. Then you just grill it over an open flame. The rest of the fruits and veggies you can save and eat at your leisure."

Jordan began rummaging in the picnic baskets and pulled out some bell peppers, onions, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms.

"Oh yeah, I also brought some fresh tea leaves. How about you go get some water for us to boil while Toph can help me prepare the shish-kabobs?"

[bendsmetal]

Toph had popped the ground under one of the fruits and munched on the pear she caught while they discussed Mai's disappearance. They hadn't been all too close, so she wasn't torn up over it. Then Jordan turned the conversation to shish kabobs.

"What do you need me to help with?" she asked, mouth full of pear.

[glowy_brows]

"Just take these bell peppers and onions and cut them in half, then cut each half into quarters." Jordan gathered up an armful of said vegetables and laid them at her feet. He handed her a small paring knife. "You don't have to be precise, just make the pieces small enough to fit on the skewer, that's all. I'll take care of the beef."

Jordan crouched down and rummaged in the other picnic basket, pulling out a cutting board and a large cut of beef loin, along with a butcher knife.

"Oh, Aang! While you're getting that water, don't forget to bring some firewood, okay?"

[new_avatar]

"Sure thing!"

Momo (accompanied by Meili, the floating purple fish Delirium gave Aang) had just discovered one of the baskets of fruit. He was about to bite into something plucked from it when Aang called out, "C'mon Momo, let's get some water for tea!" The lemur burbled lightly, but went along with it, carrying the stolen piece of fruit with him. Thus Aang and company ran to the property's well with teakettle (and filched produce) in hand.

Waterbending the necessary water was easy enough, and he stopped off at a pile of firewood along the way. When Aang returned, he was trying not to let Meili dip into the kettle water. In the meantime, Momo was quick to return to one of the baskets to look for something else to eat.

"Got the water! And the firewood!" Aang declared once he was sure Meili had lost interest. He then went about finding a good place to start the fire.

((The thing about the well was assumed; we don't really know otherwise where fresh water would come from. I hope that's okay!))

[glowy_brows]

"Great," said Jordan, slicing up the beef and setting the pieces aside in a small pile. "Just get that fire going and get the water boiling. I brought some Jasmine tea, since everybody seems to like that. It's in the basket where you got the teapot, along with some cups."

While Aang and Toph continued to help prepare dinner, Jordan thought it best to try and catch up with everything that had been going on in Aang's world.

"So, what's been happening since I last came to visit?"

[bendsmetal]

Toph took the paring knife and dropped down, an amused smirk on her face as she centered one of the vegetables and attempted to slice through it.

"You know Jordan, most people don't normally hand over knives to the blind," she said. "Besides that, theater still isn't great, and I showed some guy why you don't underestimate me because I'm a girl or pat me on the head."

[glowy_brows]

Jordan blushed furiously, even though Toph couldn't see (but she might be able to tell he was flustered, based on his heart rate).

"Yeah, but I just ... Well, you know, I figured you ..." Jordan coughed nervously. "I just don't like to assume you can't do things just because you're blind. If I did, you'd kick my ass."

After he finished cutting the meat, Jordan pulled out several skewers and started sliding a few pieces of meat onto them.

"You know, I heard Azula talking about Sozin's Comet, how it's supposed to increase the power of firebenders. What are you guys planning to do about that?"

[new_avatar]

Aang found a good spot and had a fire going with a good, strong breath. While setting up the kettle, he listened to his friends talk about recent happenings. When it came to the topic of Sozin's Comet, he felt his stomach sink a little.

"Well..." Aang began. "...We're not sure about a plan yet. Right now, I've just about mastered Firebending. In a few days I bet we'll be able to come up with a good strategy."

[glowy_brows]

Yeah. Best to try and steer away from that subject.

"Well, I'm sure you guys will think of something," said Jordan. He speared some mushrooms and tomatoes on a skewer. "You're gonna win this thing, somehow. I know you will. Say, maybe you and I could do a little training together sometime soon. You know, make sure your skills are up to snuff."

[new_avatar]

"I know we will too!" the little Avatar responded, his assurance unwavering. "And I'm always up for some extra training. It's been a while since we did any together! Any time in the next few days would be okay, I think. We could probably even do it after we eat! If we aren't feeling too full that is."

Aang chuckled and watched Momo hover around Jordan and Toph, looking for opportunity.